Taco Bell’s cheesy fiesta potatoes are a popular side dish option that many customers enjoy. But with calorie counts and nutritional information being more readily available, some may wonder just how many calories are packed into this tasty side. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the calorie count and other nutrition facts for Taco Bell’s cheesy fiesta potatoes.
An Overview of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Cheesy fiesta potatoes have been on the Taco Bell menu for years. They consist of sliced potatoes that are seasoned with spices and covered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. The potatoes are then grilled until warm and crisp. The result is a flavorful side dish that offers a nice texture contrast to many of Taco Bell’s other offerings.
Some of the key attributes of cheesy fiesta potatoes include:
- Sliced potatoes as the main ingredient
- Seasoning that likely contains salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and other spices
- Creamy, nacho cheese-like sauce covering the potatoes
- Crispy, grill-marked exterior from cooking on a flat top grill
- Warm, soft potato interior
- Tangy, spicy and savory flavor profile
The combination of the sliced potatoes, cheese sauce and seasoning blend is what gives cheesy fiesta potatoes their signature taste that many find crave-worthy.
Calorie Count for Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
So how many calories are actually in an order of cheesy fiesta potatoes from Taco Bell? According to the Taco Bell website nutrition information, a regular order of cheesy fiesta potatoes contains:
- 230 calories
That places cheesy fiesta potatoes on the lower end of the calorie scale compared to some other Taco Bell menu items. By comparison, here are the calorie counts for a few other popular Taco Bell items:
| Taco Bell Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Soft taco | 170 |
| Crunchy taco | 170 |
| Bean burrito | 370 |
| Chicken quesadilla | 520 |
As you can see, cheesy fiesta potatoes have significantly fewer calories than items like quesadillas, burritos and tacos with meat. The potatoes offer a lighter alternative for a side item.
Nutrition Facts for Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Taking a closer look at the nutrition label, here are some of the other key nutrition facts for cheesy fiesta potatoes:
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 430mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 28g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 3g
Analyzing these numbers shows that the majority of calories in cheesy fiesta potatoes comes from fat at 11 grams. However, the potatoes still provide a decent amount of carbohydrates thanks to the sliced potato base. There is also a small amount of protein and fiber.
The sodium content clocks in at 430 milligrams, or about 18% of the recommended daily value. So the seasoning and cheese sauce do add a considerable amount of salt to the potatoes. The cholesterol count is 25 milligrams.
How Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Fit Into a Healthy Diet
While cheesy fiesta potatoes aren’t the most nutritious menu option at Taco Bell, they can potentially fit into a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
Some tips for enjoying cheesy fiesta potatoes healthfully include:
- Order a small size instead of a regular to reduce calories, fat and sodium.
- Balance them out by ordering lower calorie items like soft tacos and beans.
- Only eat them occasionally as a treat, not daily.
- Pair them with low calorie options like diet soda instead of regular.
- Get extra ingredients like guacamole, pico de gallo or grilled chicken to add nutrients.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water with your meal.
- Watch your total calorie intake for the day.
While cheesy fiesta potatoes are higher in calories and fat compared to items like salads, they can be worked into an overall healthy diet that includes more nutritious foods. Moderating portions and frequencies is key.
Ordering Tips for Healthier Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
If you want to enjoy cheesy fiesta potatoes but are looking to lighten them up, here are some tips for ordering a healthier version:
- Choose a kid’s size: Order the kid’s size cheesy fiesta potatoes, which are served in a smaller portion with fewer potatoes and less cheese sauce.
- Skip the sour cream: Request no sour cream on top, which will remove 20 calories and 2 grams of fat.
- Add veggies: Top them with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, onions or other veggies for extra nutrients.
- Add a protein: Chicken or steak are healthier meat proteins that pair well on top.
- Swap the cheese: Request reduced-fat shredded cheese instead of regular cheese sauce.
- Steer clear of add-ons: Avoid higher calorie add-ons like guacamole, bacon crumbles or creamy sauces.
Making simple modifications like these can reduce the calorie count while still letting you enjoy the flavor of cheesy fiesta potatoes.
Cheesy Fiesta Potato Recipe for Homemade Version
If you want to recreate the cheesy fiesta potato flavor at home but lighten up the nutrition facts, consider making your own version. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 medium russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4″ rounds
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Place potato slices on prepared baking sheet and brush both sides with the oil and seasoning mixture.
- Bake for 15 minutes then flip potatoes and bake 10 more minutes until crispy.
- Remove from oven and top potatoes evenly with shredded cheese. Return to oven 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Making the potatoes at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize it to your liking. You can adjust the seasonings to make it as mild or spicy as you want. Substitute fajita seasoning or taco seasoning for something similar to the Taco Bell version.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in Taco Bell’s cheesy fiesta potatoes? A regular order contains 230 calories, which is lower than many other menu options. It provides mostly fat and carbs with a little bit of protein and fiber. While not the most nutritious choice, cheesy fiesta potatoes can potentially fit into a healthy diet in moderation. Order a smaller size, skip high-calorie toppings, or add fresh veggies to lighten it up. Making a homemade version also allows you to control the nutrition facts. So go ahead and enjoy those cheesy, crispy potatoes – just be mindful of portions!